Lunch Rules.

Trying to pare down the hyperactive spending that the industry encourages. That means I broke out the bike for a ride to the farmers’ market last weekend, and I turned down watching Sex and the City 2 with the girls. (Okay, so that last bit was more of a moral decision, whereby I no longer spend money on stuff I know is crap.)

I can proudly say, though, that I’ve generally stuck to my frugal nature when it comes to lunching in downtown Palo Alto.

Aim to bring my own lunch. Every day. Usually this means leftovers from home-cooked dinner the night before.

I am only allowed to buy lunch once a week, and so far I’ve only done so when I’ve completely forgotten my lunch or just didn’t have time to put anything else together.

When I buy my lunch, I have to walk to the restaurant, and my first choice has to be salad. When I’m craving something with more protein in it, I turn to Loving Hut or Garden Fresh for vegan and vegetarian takes on meat. Because they are delicious. You’ve never had tempeh before? I’m sorry.

Ideally, any lunch I buy will last me into dinner or stretch into two lunches.

Pack an apple! Gala, please.

On Fridays I’m fed by whoever I can confirm for Moxsie Street Eats, so no holds barred there.

One day, I got a burrito from Sancho’s, and another day, I got a grilled cheese with tomato and bacon from Peninsula Creamery – but by and large I’m proud of myself for not giving in to richer restaurant food with untold amounts of oil and flavor enhancers. Eating out all the time may be delicious, and it may be convenient, but even in the bougie-est of salad bars, it’s not always healthy. Here’s to cooking dinner at home and saving money for many other things! (Like the G-Shock watch I want, and the Spy OpticKaoris I’ve been eyeing, and the Pretty Little Things necklace I saw…)

2 thoughts on “Lunch Rules.”

OMG those pretty little things necklaces are so expensive! Man, screw that. $10 at forever 21 and $8 at sancho’s burrito and i still have $22 leftover to buy some cute earrings. No one ever said I was classy.